US20180287500A1 - Dc-dc converter - Google Patents

Dc-dc converter Download PDF

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Publication number
US20180287500A1
US20180287500A1 US15/765,891 US201615765891A US2018287500A1 US 20180287500 A1 US20180287500 A1 US 20180287500A1 US 201615765891 A US201615765891 A US 201615765891A US 2018287500 A1 US2018287500 A1 US 2018287500A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
conversion unit
unit
voltage
voltage conversion
multiphase
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Abandoned
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US15/765,891
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English (en)
Inventor
Shinsuke Tsutsui
Seiji Takahashi
Takanori Itou
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Publication date
Application filed by Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd, AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd, Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd filed Critical Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Assigned to SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD. reassignment SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ITOU, TAKANORI, TAKAHASHI, SEIJI, TSUTSUI, SHINSUKE
Publication of US20180287500A1 publication Critical patent/US20180287500A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M3/00—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output
    • H02M3/02—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac
    • H02M3/04—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters
    • H02M3/10—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode
    • H02M3/145—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal
    • H02M3/155—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
    • H02M3/156—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
    • H02M3/158—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
    • H02M3/1588—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load comprising at least one synchronous rectifier element
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M1/00—Details of apparatus for conversion
    • H02M1/32—Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M3/00—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output
    • H02M3/02—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac
    • H02M3/04—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters
    • H02M3/10—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode
    • H02M3/145—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal
    • H02M3/155—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M3/00—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output
    • H02M3/02—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac
    • H02M3/04—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters
    • H02M3/10—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode
    • H02M3/145—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal
    • H02M3/155—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
    • H02M3/156—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
    • H02M3/158—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
    • H02M3/1584—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output without intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load with a plurality of power processing stages connected in parallel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M1/00—Details of apparatus for conversion
    • H02M1/0003—Details of control, feedback or regulation circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M1/00—Details of apparatus for conversion
    • H02M1/32—Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection
    • H02M1/325—Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection with means for allowing continuous operation despite a fault, i.e. fault tolerant converters
    • H02M2001/0003—
    • H02M2001/325—
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B70/00—Technologies for an efficient end-user side electric power management and consumption
    • Y02B70/10—Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a DC-DC converter.
  • Multiphase DC-DC converters that have a configuration in which a plurality of voltage conversion units are connected in parallel to each other are known as DC-DC converters that drive switch elements to step up or down a DC voltage.
  • Examples of this type of multiphase DC-DC converter include a technique as disclosed in JP 2013-46541A.
  • a power supply device of JP 2013-46541A addresses this need, and is configured to acquire electric current values that are detected by an electric current detector at timings of falling edges of control signals that are applied to switch elements of respective phase chopper units, and to determine that one of the phase chopper units has failed if the acquired current values are different.
  • the power supply device of JP 2013-46541A merely restricts the entire output if an open-circuit fault has occurred in any of the switch elements of the phase chopper units, and does not include the idea of correctly identifying a portion where the fault has occurred, and reliably disabling the operation of this portion.
  • the present invention was made in view of the above-described circumstances, and it is an object thereof to provide a multiphase DC-DC converter that is provided with a plurality of voltage conversion units, and has a configuration in which, if an abnormality has occurred in any phase, the multiphase DC-DC converter can be kept activated with a phase other than the faulty phase while the faulty phase is reliably protected.
  • a DC-DC converter includes:
  • a multiphase conversion unit that is provided with a plurality of voltage conversion units that are arranged between an input-side conductive path and an output-side conductive path, each voltage conversion unit including an individual input path connected to the input-side conductive path, a conversion operation portion configured to convert a voltage input to the individual input path using an on/off operation of a driving switch element, and an individual output path serving as an output path for the voltage converted by the conversion operation portion, each voltage conversion unit being provided with, on at least one of the individual input path and the individual output path, a protective switch element configured to switch the corresponding individual input or output path between a conductive state and a non-conductive state;
  • a detection unit configured to detect that an abnormality has occurred in the multiphase conversion unit at least during an operation of the multiphase conversion unit
  • a disabling control unit configured to disable all of the voltage conversion units of the multiphase conversion unit if the occurrence of an abnormality in the multiphase conversion unit is detected by the detection unit during the operation of the multiphase conversion unit;
  • a driving abnormality identifying unit configured to identify, at least after all of the voltage conversion units are disabled by the disabling control unit, a conversion unit that is abnormal or a group including a conversion unit that is abnormal from among the plurality of voltage conversion units that constitute the multiphase conversion unit;
  • an operation control unit configured to cause, if a conversion unit that is abnormal or a group including a conversion unit that is abnormal is identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit, any remaining conversion unit other than the conversion unit or the group including the conversion unit that has been identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit to perform a voltage conversion operation.
  • a DC-DC converter includes:
  • a multiphase conversion unit that is provided with a plurality of voltage conversion units that are arranged between an input-side conductive path and an output-side conductive path, each voltage conversion unit including an individual input path connected to the input-side conductive path, a conversion operation portion configured to convert a voltage input to the individual input path using an on/off operation of a driving switch element, and an individual output path serving as an output path for the voltage converted by the conversion operation portion, each voltage conversion unit being provided with, on at least one of the individual input path and the individual output path, a protective switch element configured to switch the corresponding individual input or output path between a conductive state and a non-conductive state;
  • a protective abnormality identifying unit configured to identify at least either a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal, or a group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal, from among the plurality of voltage conversion units that constitute the multiphase conversion unit;
  • an operation control unit configured to cause, if a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal or a group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal is identified by the protective abnormality identifying unit, any remaining conversion unit other than the conversion unit or the group including the conversion unit that has been identified by the protective abnormality identifying unit to perform a voltage conversion operation.
  • the plurality of voltage conversion units constituting the multiphase conversion unit are each provided with, on at least one of the individual input path and individual output path, a protective switch element configured to switch the corresponding individual input or output path between a conductive state and a non-conductive state.
  • a protective switch element is provided individually for each phase, and thus, if an abnormality has occurred in a phase, the protective switch element easily conducts appropriate protection.
  • the DC-DC converter according to the first invention is provided with: a detection unit configured to detect that an abnormality has occurred in the multiphase conversion unit at least during an operation of the multiphase conversion unit; and a disabling control unit configured to disable all of the voltage conversion units of the multiphase conversion unit if the occurrence of an abnormality in the multiphase conversion unit is detected by the detection unit during the operation of the multiphase conversion unit.
  • the driving abnormality identifying unit can identify a conversion unit that is abnormal or a group including a conversion unit that is abnormal, from among the plurality of voltage conversion units constituting the multiphase conversion unit. Particularly, since all of the voltage conversion units are temporarily disabled and then the operation shifts to an operation for identifying a range of abnormality, the identification of the range of abnormality is performed in a state in which the multiphase conversion unit is better protected. If the identification has been performed by the driving abnormality identifying unit, the operation control unit causes any remaining conversion unit other than the conversion unit or the group including the conversion unit that has been identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit to perform a voltage conversion operation. Accordingly, it is possible to continue the operation using the remaining conversion unit while reliably continuing disabling the range of abnormality (one or more phases) to protect it.
  • the plurality of voltage conversion units constituting the multiphase conversion unit are each provided with, on at least one of the individual input path and individual output path, a protective switch element configured to switch the corresponding individual input or output path between a conductive state and a non-conductive state.
  • a protective switch element is provided individually for each phase, and thus, if an abnormality has occurred in a phase, the protective switch element easily conducts appropriate protection.
  • the DC-DC converter according to the second invention is provided with a protective abnormality identifying unit configured to identify at least either a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal, or a group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal, from among the plurality of voltage conversion units constituting the multiphase conversion unit. Accordingly, it is possible to identify a range (one or more phases) in which a protective switch element is abnormal. Also, the operation control unit is configured to cause, if a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal or a group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal is detected, any remaining conversion unit other than the conversion unit or the group including the conversion unit that has been identified by the protective abnormality identifying unit to perform a voltage conversion operation.
  • FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating an example of a DC-DC converter according to Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of test processing that is performed in the DC-DC converter of Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating an example of a DC-DC converter according to another embodiment.
  • each of the voltage conversion units constituting the multiphase conversion unit may be provided with protective switch elements on its individual input path and individual output path.
  • the protective abnormality identifying unit may be configured to identify a conversion unit in which at least one of the protective switch elements is abnormal, or a group including a conversion unit in which at least one of the protective switch elements is abnormal, from among the plurality of voltage conversion units constituting the multiphase conversion unit.
  • each of the voltage conversion units with the protective switch elements on both input side and output side makes it possible to respectively switch the input-side individual input path and the output-side individual output path to the OFF state to protect the voltage conversion unit. Accordingly, a configuration is achieved in which it is possible to perform the protection operation of preventing an electric current from flowing to a voltage conversion unit from the input side, and the protection operation of preventing an electric current from flowing backward to the voltage conversion unit from the output side. Furthermore, if a conversion unit in which at least either of the input-side and output-side protective switch elements is abnormal, or a group including such a conversion unit has been identified, it is possible to disable the identified range, and continue the operation using the remaining changing unit.
  • the protective abnormality identifying unit may be configured to identify, at least when an ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON, a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal, or a group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal with a subset or all of the plurality of voltage conversion units constituting the multiphase conversion unit serving as a detection target.
  • the protective abnormality identifying unit may be configured to detect, when the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON, a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal, or a group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal with a subset of the plurality of voltage conversion units constituting the multiphase conversion unit serving as a detection target, and may be configured to switch the conversion unit serving as a detection target or the group including a conversion unit serving as a detection target each time the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON.
  • the second invention may include: a detection unit configured to detect that an abnormality has occurred in the multiphase conversion unit at least during an operation of the multiphase conversion unit; a disabling control unit configured to disable all of the voltage conversion units of the multiphase conversion unit if the occurrence of an abnormality in the multiphase conversion unit is detected by the detection unit during the operation of the multiphase conversion unit; and a driving abnormality identifying unit configured to identify, at least after all of the voltage conversion units are disabled by the disabling control unit, a conversion unit that is abnormal or a group including a conversion unit that is abnormal from among the plurality of voltage conversion units that constitute the multiphase conversion unit.
  • the operation control unit may be configured to cause, if a conversion unit that is abnormal or a group including a conversion unit that is abnormal is identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit, any remaining conversion unit other than the conversion unit or the group including the conversion unit that has been identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit to perform a voltage conversion operation.
  • the operation control unit causes any remaining conversion unit other than the conversion unit or the group including the conversion unit that has been identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit to perform a voltage conversion operation. Accordingly, it is possible to continue the operation using the remaining conversion unit while reliably continuing disabling the range of abnormality (one or more phases) to protect it
  • the invention using the disabling control unit may be configured to perform control such that, if the occurrence of an abnormality in the multiphase conversion unit is detected by the detection unit during the operation of the multiphase conversion unit, the protective switch elements that are respectively provided in all of the voltage conversion units are switched to an OFF state.
  • the invention using the disabling control unit may be such that a power storage unit is connected to the output-side conductive path.
  • a notification unit may be provided that is configured to give notice to the outside if at least one of the voltage conversion units of the multiphase conversion unit is restricted by the operation control unit.
  • an external device can recognize the situation, and can perform processing that corresponds to the restriction.
  • Embodiment 1 in which the present invention is embodied.
  • a DC-DC converter 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as, for example, an onboard step-down DC-DC converter, and is configured to step down a DC voltage that is applied to an input-side conductive path 71 , and output the stepped-down DC voltage to an output-side conductive path 72 .
  • the DC-DC converter 1 of FIG. 1 is provided with: a power supply conductive path 70 that includes the input-side conductive path 71 and the output-side conductive path 72 , and serves as a power supply line; and a reference conductive path 78 whose electrical potential is kept at a fixed reference potential (ground potential) that is lower than an electrical potential of the power supply conductive path 70 .
  • a plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B that are configured to step down an input voltage applied to the input-side conductive path 71 , and generate an output voltage are arranged in parallel.
  • the input-side conductive path 71 is configured as a primary side (high voltage side) power supply line to which a relatively high voltage is applied, and is conductively connected to a terminal, on a high potential-side, of a primary side power supply portion 61 , so that a predetermined DC voltage (48V, for example) is applied to the input-side conductive path 71 from the primary side power supply portion 61 .
  • the input-side conductive path 71 is connected to a plurality of individual input paths 42 A and 42 B, which will be described later.
  • the primary side power supply portion 61 is constituted by, for example, an electrical storage means such as a lithium-ion battery, or an electrical double layer capacitor, and is configured to generate a first predetermined voltage.
  • the high potential-side terminal of the primary side power supply portion 61 is kept at 48V for example, and a low-potential side terminal thereof is kept at a ground potential (0V).
  • the output-side conductive path 72 is configured as a secondary side (low voltage side) power supply line to which a relatively low voltage is applied.
  • the output-side conductive path 72 is conductively connected to, for example, a terminal, on a high potential-side, of a secondary side power supply portion 62 , so that a DC voltage (for example, 12V) that is lower than the output voltage of the primary side power supply portion 61 is applied to the output-side conductive path 72 from the secondary side power supply portion 62 .
  • the secondary side power supply portion 62 is constituted by, for example, an electrical storage means such as a lead storage battery, and is configured to generate a second predetermined voltage that is lower than the first predetermined voltage that is generated by the primary side power supply portion 61 .
  • the high potential-side terminal of the secondary side power supply portion 62 is kept at 12V, and a low-potential side terminal thereof is kept at a ground potential (0V).
  • “normal connection state” of the secondary side power supply portion 62 refers to a state in which, in the example of FIG. 1 , a terminal 64 provided on the output-side conductive path 72 is connected to the terminal, on the positive side, of the secondary side power supply portion 62 .
  • the reference conductive path 78 is configured as a ground, and is kept at a fixed ground potential (0V).
  • the low-potential side terminal of the primary side power supply portion 61 , and the low-potential side terminal of the secondary side power supply portion 62 are conductively connected to the reference conductive path 78 , and drains of switch elements 32 A and 32 B, which will be described later, are connected to the reference conductive path 78 .
  • a multiphase conversion unit 4 is provided between the input-side conductive path 71 and the output-side conductive path 72 .
  • the multiphase conversion unit 4 includes the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B that are arranged parallel to each other between the input-side conductive path 71 and the output-side conductive path 72 . These voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B function as synchronous rectification type step-down converters.
  • the voltage conversion unit 4 A includes the individual input path 42 A (individual conductive path) that is connected to the input-side conductive path 71 , a conversion operation portion 19 A configured to convert a voltage input to the individual input path 42 A using on/off operations of driving switch elements 5 A and 6 A, and an individual output path 52 A (individual conductive path) that serves as an output path for the voltage converted by the conversion operation portion 19 A.
  • the individual input path 42 A is provided with a protective switch element 20 A for switching the individual input path 42 A between a conductive state and a non-conductive state.
  • the individual output path 52 A is provided with a protective switch element 24 A for switching the individual output path 52 A between a conductive state and a non-conductive state in case of a back flow.
  • the individual input path 42 A that is branched from the input-side conductive path 71 is connected to a drain of a switch element 5 A on the high side.
  • the drain of the switch element 5 A is conductively connected to an electrode, on one side, of an input-side capacitor 8 A, and is also conductively connected to the high potential-side terminal of the primary side power supply portion 61 when the switch element 20 A located on the individual input path 42 A is in an ON state.
  • a drain of a switch element 6 A on the low side and one end of a coil 12 A are connected to a source of the switch element 5 A.
  • Electrodes of the input-side capacitor 8 A and an output-side capacitor 10 A are connected to a source of the switch element 6 A on the low side. Furthermore, the other end of the coil 12 A is connected to the other electrode of the output-side capacitor 10 A and a source of the switch element 24 A. Furthermore, a driving signal and a non-driving signal are input from a driving unit 3 to a gate of the switch element 5 A, so that the switch element 5 A switches between an ON state and an OFF state in accordance with the signal from the driving unit 3 .
  • a driving signal and a non-driving signal are also input from the driving unit 3 to a gate of the switch element 6 A on the low side, so that the switch element 6 A switches between an ON state and an OFF state in accordance with the signal from the driving unit 3 .
  • the voltage conversion unit 4 B has the same configuration as that of the voltage conversion unit 4 A.
  • This voltage conversion unit 4 B includes an individual input path 42 B (individual conductive path) that is connected to the input-side conductive path 71 , a conversion operation portion 19 B configured to convert a voltage input to the individual input path 42 B using on/off operations of driving switch elements 5 B and 6 B, and an individual output path 52 B (individual conductive path) that serves as an output path for the voltage converted by the conversion operation portion 19 B.
  • the individual input path 42 B is also provided with a protective switch element 20 B for switching the individual input path 42 B between a conductive state and a non-conductive state.
  • the individual output path 52 B is provided with a protective switch element 24 B for switching the individual output path 52 B between a conductive state and a non-conductive state in case of a back flow.
  • the individual input path 42 B that is branched from the input-side conductive path 71 is connected to a drain of a switch element 5 B on the high side.
  • the drain of the switch element 5 B is conductively connected to an electrode, on one side, of an input-side capacitor 8 B, and is also conductively connected to the high potential-side terminal of the primary side power supply portion 61 when the switch element 20 B located on the individual input path 42 B is an ON state.
  • a drain of a switch element 6 B on the low side and one end of a coil 12 B are connected to a source of the switch element 5 B.
  • Electrodes of the input-side capacitor 8 B and an output-side capacitor 10 B are connected to a source of the switch element 6 B on the low side.
  • the other end of the coil 12 B is connected to the other electrode of the output-side capacitor 10 B and a source of the switch element 24 B. Furthermore, a driving signal and a non-driving signal are input from the driving unit 3 to a gate of the switch element 5 B, so that the switch element 5 B switches between an ON state and an OFF state in accordance with the signal from the driving unit 3 . A driving signal and a non-driving signal are also input from the driving unit 3 to a gate of the switch element 6 B on the low side, so that the switch element 6 B switches between an ON state and an OFF state in accordance with the signal from the driving unit 3 .
  • the sources of the switch elements 6 A and 6 B, the electrodes on one sides of the input-side capacitors 8 A and 8 B, and the electrodes on one sides of the output-side capacitors 10 A and 10 B are respectively conductively connected to each other, and are connected to sources of the switch elements 32 A and 32 B via a conductive path 76 .
  • Drains of the switch elements 24 A and 24 B are conductively connected to each other, and are connected to the output-side conductive path 72 .
  • the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B having this configuration function as synchronous rectification type step-down converters.
  • the voltage conversion unit 4 A switches the switch element 5 A on the high side between the ON operation and the OFF operation in synchronization with switching the switch element 6 A on the low side between the OFF operation and ON operation, so as to step down a DC voltage applied to the individual input path 42 A, and output the stepped-down DC voltage to the individual output path 52 A.
  • the driving unit 3 gives PWM signals to the gates of the switch elements 5 A and 6 A, so that a first state, in which the switch element 5 A is in the ON state and the switch element 6 A is in the OFF state, and a second state, in which the switch element 5 A is in the OFF state and the switch element 6 A is in the ON state, are alternately switched.
  • a DC voltage applied to the individual input path 42 A is stepped down, and the stepped-down DC voltage is output to the individual output path 52 A.
  • the output voltage of the individual output path 52 A depends on the duty ratio of the PWM signals applied to the gates of the switch elements 5 A and 6 A.
  • the voltage conversion unit 4 B has the same configuration, and switches the switch element 5 B on the high side between the ON operation and the OFF operation in synchronization with switching the switch element 6 B on the low side between the OFF operation and the ON operation, so as to step down a DC voltage applied to the individual input path 42 B, and output the stepped-down DC voltage to the individual output path 52 B.
  • the driving unit 3 gives PWM signals to the gates of the switch elements 5 B and 6 B, so that a first state, in which the switch element 5 B is in the ON state and the switch element 6 B is in the OFF state, and a second state, in which the switch element 5 B is in the OFF state and the switch element 6 B is in the ON state, are alternately switched.
  • a DC voltage applied to the individual input path 42 B is stepped down, and the stepped-down DC voltage is output to the individual output path 52 B.
  • the output voltage of the individual output path 52 B depends on the duty ratio of the PWM signals applied to the gates of the switch elements 5 B and 6 B. Note that the timings at which the driving signals are given to both of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are not particularly limited, and it is sufficient that, for example, the operation of the voltage conversion unit 4 A and the operation of the voltage conversion unit 4 B are performed with their phases shifted by a well-known control method.
  • the DC-DC converter 1 of FIG. 1 is provided with a reverse connection protection circuit portion 30 , which is configured such that, if the secondary side power supply portion 62 is reversely connected, then the conduction of the conductive path 76 is interrupted, preventing an electrical current from flowing into the secondary side in the case of the reverse connection.
  • This reverse connection protection circuit portion 30 includes: the switch elements 32 A and 32 B for protecting from reverse connection that are arranged parallel to the conductive path 76 running between the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B and the reference conductive path 78 ; and a conductive path 34 that keeps the gate potentials of the switch elements 32 A and 32 B at the same electrical potential as that of the output-side conductive path 72 .
  • the switch elements 32 A and 32 B are configured to switch between an OFF state in which the conduction of the conductive path 76 is interrupted, and an ON state in which the interruption is cancelled.
  • the switch elements 32 A and 32 B are turned on if the terminals of at least the secondary side power supply portion 62 (low voltage side power supply portion) are in a normal connection state as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the gate potentials of the switch elements 32 A and 32 B are substantially the same as the positive electrode potential (for example, 12V) of the secondary side power supply portion 62 , and are kept in the state of being higher than the source potentials, and thus the switch elements 32 A and 32 B are kept in the ON state.
  • the sources of the switch elements 6 A and 6 B on the low side, the input-side capacitors 8 A and 8 B, and the output-side capacitors 10 A and 10 B are all kept as being conductively connected to the reference conductive path 78 .
  • the gate potentials of the switch elements 32 A and 32 B are substantially the same as the negative electrode potential (for example, ⁇ 12V) of the secondary side power supply portion 62 , and are kept in the state of being lower than the source potentials. Accordingly, the switch elements 32 A and 32 B are kept in the OFF state.
  • the switch elements 32 A and 32 B are in the OFF state, then a state is realized in which the sources of the switch elements 6 A and 6 B, the input-side capacitors 8 A and 8 B, and the output-side capacitors 10 A and 10 B are all not conductively connected to the reference conductive path 78 . Moreover, in the configuration of FIG. 1 , even if the secondary side power supply portion 62 and the output-side conductive path 72 are open, the switch elements 32 A and 32 B will be kept in the OFF state.
  • the DC-DC converter 1 includes a current detection path 80 for detecting an electric current flowing through the output-side conductive path 72 .
  • the current detection path 80 is a path for detecting an electric current flowing through the output-side conductive path 72 using a well-known method, and a control unit 2 recognizes a value of the current flowing through the output-side conductive path 72 based on a value input via the current detection path 80 .
  • a simplified current detection path 80 is shown, but the current detection path 80 may include any of various well-known current detecting circuits serving as a specific current detecting circuit as long as the control unit 2 can recognize a value Io of the current flowing through the output-side conductive path 72 .
  • the control unit 2 determines whether or not an overcurrent has occurred in the output-side conductive path 72 . Specifically, the control unit 2 compares the value Io of the current flowing through the output-side conductive path 72 with a predetermined threshold It, and the control unit 2 determines that there is no overcurrent if Io ⁇ It is met, and determines that there is an overcurrent if Io>It is met.
  • a voltage from the output-side conductive path 72 is also input to the control unit 2 , and the control unit 2 also determines whether or not there is an overvoltage in the output-side conductive path 72 . Specifically, the control unit 2 compares a value Vo of the voltage of the output-side conductive path 72 that was detected by the control unit 2 with a predetermined threshold Vt, and the control unit 2 determines that there is no overvoltage if Vo ⁇ Vt is met, and determines that there is an overvoltage if Vo>Vt is met.
  • control unit 2 corresponds to an example of a detection unit, and detects that an abnormality has occurred in the multiphase conversion unit 4 by detecting the state Io>It or Vo>Vt at least during the operation of the multiphase conversion unit 4 .
  • control unit 2 If the control unit 2 has detected an abnormality of an overcurrent or an overvoltage, that is, when the state Io>It or Vo>Vt is given, the voltage conversion operations of all of the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are disabled. Specifically, the control unit 2 gives, to the driving unit 3 , an instruction to stop outputting PWM signals, and the driving unit 3 stops outputting PWM signals to the switch elements 5 A, 6 A, 5 B, and 6 B. Furthermore, the control unit 2 outputs OFF signals to all gates of the switch elements 20 A, 20 B, 24 A, and 24 B. Accordingly, the switch elements 20 A, 20 B, 24 A, and 24 B are all switched to an OFF state.
  • control unit 2 corresponds to an example of a disabling control unit, and functions to disable all the operations of the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B in the multiphase conversion unit 4 if it is detected by the detection unit during the operation of the multiphase conversion unit 4 that an abnormality has occurred in the multiphase conversion unit 4 .
  • the control unit 2 determines whether or not either of an overcurrent and an overvoltage occurs in the power supply conductive path 70 . Specifically, the protective switch elements 20 A and 24 A of the voltage conversion unit 4 A are switched to the ON state, and PWM signals are output to the respective driving switch elements 5 A and 6 A so that the above-described first and second states are switched. With such control, the voltage conversion unit 4 A performs a voltage conversion operation of stepping down a DC voltage applied to the individual input path 42 A, and outputting the stepped-down DC voltage to the individual output path 52 A.
  • the control unit 2 performs such control of driving only the voltage conversion unit 4 A for a predetermined time period, and compares, during this predetermined time period, a value Io of the current flowing through the output-side conductive path 72 with the threshold It, and a value Vo of the voltage of the output-side conductive path 72 with the threshold Vt. If the state Io>It or Vo>Vt is given, then it is determined that the voltage conversion unit 4 A is abnormal. On the other hand, if the states Io ⁇ It and Vo ⁇ Vt are maintained during the predetermined time period in which only the voltage conversion unit 4 A is driven, it is determined that the voltage conversion unit 4 A is normal.
  • the control unit 2 determines whether or not either of an overcurrent and an overvoltage has occurred in the power supply conductive path 70 . Specifically, the protective switch elements 20 B and 24 B of the voltage conversion unit 4 B are switched to the ON state, and PWM signals are output to the respective driving switch elements 5 B and 6 B so that the above-described first state and second states are switched. With such control, the voltage conversion unit 4 B performs a voltage conversion operation of stepping down a DC voltage applied to the individual input path 42 B, and outputting the stepped-down DC voltage to the individual output path 52 B.
  • the control unit 2 performs such control of driving only the voltage conversion unit 4 B for a predetermined time period, and compares, during the predetermined time period, a value Io of the current flowing through the output-side conductive path 72 with the threshold It, and a value Vo of the voltage of the output-side conductive path 72 with the threshold Vt. If the state Io>It or Vo>Vt is given, it is determined that the voltage conversion unit 4 B is abnormal. On the other hand, if the states Io ⁇ It and Vo ⁇ Vt are maintained during the predetermined time period in which only the voltage conversion unit 4 B is driven, it is determined that the voltage conversion unit 4 B is normal.
  • control unit 2 corresponds to an example of a driving abnormality identifying unit, and functions to identify, at least after all of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are disabled by the disabling control unit, a conversion unit in which at least either a current or a voltage is abnormal from among the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B constituting the multiphase conversion unit 4 .
  • the control unit 2 halts the operation of the conversion unit that is determined as being abnormal, and sends predetermined abnormality information via a communication interface 90 to a higher-order system. Then, the control unit 2 causes any remaining conversion unit (of the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B constituting the multiphase conversion unit 4 ) other than the conversion unit determined as being abnormal to perform the voltage conversion operation. For example, if it is determined that the voltage conversion unit 4 A is abnormal and the voltage conversion unit 4 B is normal, the control unit 2 sends information indicating that the voltage conversion unit 4 A is abnormal via the communication interface 90 to the higher-order system.
  • the multiphase conversion unit 4 restarts an operation such that the operation of the voltage conversion unit 4 A that is determined as being abnormal is halted, and only the remaining voltage conversion unit 4 B that is other than the voltage conversion unit 4 A performs the voltage conversion operation. Note that, if it is determined that all of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are abnormal, the multiphase conversion unit 4 itself is disabled.
  • control unit 2 corresponds to an example of an operation control unit, and functions to cause, if a conversion unit in which at least either a current or a voltage is abnormal is identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit, any remaining conversion unit (of the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B constituting the multiphase conversion unit 4 ) other than the conversion unit identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit to perform the voltage conversion operation. Furthermore, the control unit 2 corresponds to an example of a notification unit, and functions to give notice to the outside if part of the voltage conversion operations of the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are restricted by the operation control unit.
  • an ignition signal from a not-shown ignition switch is input to the control unit 2 .
  • the configuration is such that, if the ignition switch is in an ON state, an ignition signal (ON signal) indicating the ON state is input to the control unit 2 , and if the ignition switch is in the OFF state, an ignition signal (OFF signal) indicating the OFF state is input to the control unit 2 .
  • the control unit 2 performs test processing as shown in FIG. 2 each time the ignition signal is switched from the OFF signal to the ON signal. Specifically, the test processing shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 2 may be performed using power supplied from the primary side power supply portion 61 , after the ignition signal is switched from the OFF signal to the ON signal and before a not-shown power generator connected to the input-side conductive path 71 is activated.
  • the test processing of FIG. 2 may also be performed, after the ignition signal is switched from the OFF signal to the ON signal, and the not-shown power generator connected to the input-side conductive path 71 is activated.
  • N is a value that indicates the phase to be tested in the procedure from steps S 2 to S 12 .
  • the voltage conversion unit 4 A of a first phase is to be tested.
  • step S 2 in a state in which an input-side protective switch element (first switch element) of the voltage conversion unit of the phase N is turned off, and an output-side protective switch element (second switch element) thereof is turned on, the voltage conversion operation is performed only for the phase N.
  • the voltage conversion operation of the voltage conversion unit 4 A is performed in a state in which the input-side protective switch element 20 A of the voltage conversion unit 4 A of the first phase is turned off, and the output-side protective switch element 24 A thereof is turned on, and the voltage conversion unit 4 B is disabled.
  • the voltage conversion operation of the voltage conversion unit 4 A at this time is performed with a duty ratio with which a voltage V 1 (for example, 14V) that is higher than the output voltage (for example, 12V) of the secondary side power supply portion 62 is output to the individual output path 52 A if both of the switch elements 20 A and 24 A are conductive.
  • V 1 for example, 14V
  • 12V the output voltage
  • step S 3 whether or not the voltage that is applied to the output-side conductive path 72 in the voltage conversion operation of step S 2 is at least a threshold voltage V 2 is determined (step S 3 ).
  • “Threshold voltage V 2 ” has a value that is higher than the output voltage (for example, 12V) from the secondary side power supply portion 62 and is lower than the above-described voltage V 1 (voltage that is to be output to the individual output path 52 A in the voltage conversion operation of step S 2 if both of the switch elements 20 A and 24 A are conductive).
  • the voltage conversion operation of the voltage conversion unit 4 A at this time as well is performed with a duty ratio with which the voltage V 1 (for example, 14V) that is higher than the output voltage (for example, 12V) of the secondary side power supply portion 62 is output to individual output path 52 A if both of the switch elements 20 A and 24 A are conductive.
  • step S 6 whether or not the voltage that is applied to the output-side conductive path 72 in the voltage conversion operation of step S 5 is at least the threshold voltage V 2 is determined (step S 6 ).
  • the voltage conversion operation of step S 5 is performed with the duty ratio with which the voltage V 1 that is higher than the threshold voltage V 2 is output to the individual output path 52 A if both of the switch elements 20 A and 24 A are conductive. Since, in step S 5 , both of the input-side and output-side protective switch elements (first and second switch elements) of the phase N are turned on, the voltage that is applied to the output-side conductive path 72 if these switch elements have been properly turned on should be at least the threshold voltage V 2 .
  • the voltage conversion operation of the voltage conversion unit 4 A at this time as well is performed with a duty ratio with which the voltage V 1 (for example, 14V) that is higher than the output voltage (for example, 12V) of the secondary side power supply portion 62 is output to the individual output path 52 A, if both of the switch elements 20 A and 24 A are conductive.
  • step S 9 whether or not the voltage that is applied to the output-side conductive path 72 in the voltage conversion operation of step S 8 is at least the threshold voltage V 2 is determined (step S 9 ). Since, in the voltage conversion operation of step S 8 , the output-side protective switch element (second switch element) of the phase N is turned off, the voltage that is applied to the output-side conductive path 72 if this switch element has been properly turned off should be about as large as the output voltage from the secondary side power supply portion 62 , that is, less than the threshold voltage V 2 .
  • step S 11 whether or not N has reached the maximum phase count Nmax (“2” in the example of FIG. 1 ) is determined (step S 12 ), and if N has not reached the maximum phase count Nmax, then in step S 12 , the procedure advances to “No”, where N is incremented by 1 (step S 13 ), and the procedure from steps S 2 onward is performed again with the new N. For example, if N is 2 in step S 13 , then the procedure returns to step S 2 , and the voltage conversion unit 4 B of the second phase is subjected to the procedure from steps S 2 to S 12 . Then, when the procedure from steps S 2 to S 12 on all of the phases ends, and it is determined in step S 12 that N has ultimately reached Nmax, then the test processing of FIG. 2 is complete.
  • control unit 2 that executes the processing of FIG. 2 corresponds to an example of a protective abnormality identifying unit, and functions to identify at least either a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal, from among the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B constituting the multiphase conversion unit 4 .
  • the control unit 2 halts the operation of the conversion unit that is determined as being abnormal, and sends predetermined abnormality information via the communication interface 90 to the higher-order system. Then, the control unit 2 causes any remaining conversion unit (of the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B constituting the multiphase conversion unit 4 ) other than the conversion unit determined as being abnormal to perform the voltage conversion operation. For example, in the test processing of FIG.
  • the control unit 2 sends information indicating that the voltage conversion unit 4 B is abnormal via the communication interface 90 to the higher-order system. Then, the multiphase conversion unit 4 restarts an operation such that the operation of the voltage conversion unit 4 B that is determined as being abnormal is halted, and only the remaining voltage conversion unit 4 A that is other than the voltage conversion unit 4 B performs the voltage conversion operation. Note that if both of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are determined as being abnormal, then the multiphase conversion unit 4 itself is disabled.
  • control unit 2 corresponds to an example of an operation control unit, and functions to cause, if a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal is identified by the protective abnormality identifying unit, any remaining conversion unit (of the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B constituting the multiphase conversion unit 4 ) other than the conversion unit identified by the protective abnormality identifying unit to perform the voltage conversion operation.
  • control unit 2 corresponds to an example of a notification unit, and functions to give notice to the outside if part of the voltage conversion operations of the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B is restricted by the operation control unit.
  • the DC-DC converter 1 is provided with an individual protective switch element for each phase, and thus, if an abnormality has occurred in a phase, the protective switch element easily conducts appropriate protection.
  • each of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B is provided with the protective switch elements on both input side and output side, it is possible to switch each of the input-side individual input path and the output-side individual output path to the OFF state to protect the voltage conversion unit. Accordingly, a configuration is achieved in which it is possible to perform the protection operation of preventing an electric current from flowing to a voltage conversion unit from the input side, and the protection operation of preventing an electric current from flowing backward to the voltage conversion unit from the output side.
  • the DC-DC converter 1 having the present configuration is provided with a protective abnormality identifying unit that is configured to identify a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal, from among the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B that constitute the multiphase conversion unit 4 . Accordingly, it is possible to identify a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal.
  • the operation control unit is configured to cause, if a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal has been identified, any remaining conversion unit other than the identified conversion unit to perform a voltage conversion operation. Accordingly, it is possible to continue the operation using the remaining conversion unit while disabling the range in which a protective switch element is abnormal to protect it.
  • the protective abnormality identifying unit is configured to identify, at least if the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON, any conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal, with the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B that constitute the multiphase conversion unit 4 serving as a detection target. According to this configuration, after the ignition switch has been switched from OFF to ON, a range in which a protective switch element is abnormal can be identified more promptly in an earlier stage after the activation.
  • the DC-DC converter 1 having the present configuration is provided with a disabling control unit, and thus, if an abnormality has occurred during the operation of the multiphase conversion unit 4 , it is possible to temporarily disable all of the voltage conversion units to conduct prompt protection.
  • the disabling control unit is configured to perform control such that, if it is detected by the detection unit that an abnormality has occurred in the multiphase conversion unit 4 during the operation of the multiphase conversion unit 4 , the protective switch elements of all of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are switched to the OFF state. According to this configuration, even if a fault such as a short circuit has occurred in a driving switch element of any voltage conversion unit, it is possible to reliably disable the voltage conversion units by turning off the protective switch elements provided in the respective voltage conversion units.
  • the present configuration is such that, if an abnormality has occurred during the operation of the multiphase conversion unit 4 , the disabling control unit disables all of the voltage conversion units, and then the driving abnormality identifying unit identifies a range of abnormality.
  • the identification of the range of abnormality is performed in a state in which the multiphase conversion unit 4 is better protected.
  • the operation control unit is configured to cause, if a range of abnormality is identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit, any remaining conversion unit (of the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B constituting the multiphase conversion unit 4 ) other than the conversion unit identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit to perform a voltage conversion operation. Accordingly, it is possible to continue the operation using the remaining conversion unit while reliably continuing disabling the range of abnormality to protect it.
  • the secondary side power supply portion 62 (power storage unit) is connected to the output-side conductive path 72 .
  • the secondary side power supply portion 62 power storage unit
  • a configuration is achieved in which all of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B can be disabled if an abnormality has occurred during the operation of the multiphase conversion unit 4 , and power supply to the output-side conductive path 72 can be continued even while they are disabled.
  • the DC-DC converter 1 having the present configuration is provided with a notification unit configured to give notice to the outside if part of the voltage conversion operations of the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B is restricted by the operation control unit. According to this configuration, if part of the voltage conversion operations of the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B is restricted, an external device can recognize the situation, and can perform processing that corresponds to the restriction.
  • Embodiment 1 a configuration in which the switch elements 6 A and 6 B are provided on the low side is shown as an example, but a configuration in which these elements are replaced by diodes is also possible.
  • the control unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 may also be configured to be able to determine whether an electric current is flowing through the output-side conductive path 72 in a first direction from the multiphase conversion unit 4 side toward the secondary side power supply portion 62 side, or a second direction from the secondary side power supply portion 62 side toward the multiphase conversion unit 4 side.
  • the control unit 2 may also be configured, if it is detected that the electric current is flowing through the output-side conductive path 72 in the above-described “second direction” (that is, if it is determined that the direction of the electric current is a back flow), to switch both of the protective switch elements 24 A and 24 B to the OFF state.
  • control unit 2 may also be configured, if it is detected that the electric current is flowing through the output-side conductive path 72 in the above-described “second direction”, to disable all of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B temporarily, and then individually activate the conversion units to identify a conversion unit that is abnormal.
  • the control unit 2 may also be configured, if a conversion unit that is abnormal has been identified, to restart the operation to cause only the remaining conversion unit(s) other than the abnormal conversion unit to perform a voltage conversion operation.
  • Embodiment 1 a two-phase structure DC-DC converter 1 in which two voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are connected in parallel to each other is shown, but a DC-DC converter 1 of a structure with three or more phases in which three or more voltage conversion units are connected in parallel to each other may also be used.
  • a four-layer structure DC-DC converter 201 as shown in FIG. 3 may be used.
  • the DC-DC converter 201 of FIG. 3 differs from the DC-DC converter 1 of FIG. 1 in that, in addition to the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B, voltage conversion units 4 C and 4 D are connected in parallel to each other.
  • Other features are the same as those of the DC-DC converter 1 of FIG. 1 .
  • the voltage conversion units 4 C and 4 D respectively have the same structures as those of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B.
  • Embodiment 1 if an abnormality has occurred during the operation of the multiphase conversion unit 4 , the control unit 2 that corresponds to the disabling control unit disables all of the voltage conversion units, and then the control unit 2 that corresponds to the driving abnormality identifying unit identifies a conversion unit that is abnormal from among the plurality of voltage conversion units constituting the unit multiphase conversion unit 4 , but the control unit 2 that corresponds to the driving abnormality identifying unit may also be configured to identify a group including a conversion unit that is abnormal. The following will describe an example thereof.
  • the control unit 2 that corresponds to the disabling control unit will disable temporarily all of the voltage conversion units 4 A, 4 B, 4 C, and 4 D, and then will perform processing for identifying a range of abnormality.
  • the control unit 2 performs first control of causing a group of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B to perform the voltage conversion operations, and disabling the voltage conversion operations of a group of the voltage conversion units 4 C and 4 D.
  • the group of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B is identified as a “group including an abnormal conversion unit”.
  • the group of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B is identified as a “group of only normal conversion units”.
  • the control unit 2 performs second control of disabling the voltage conversion operations of the group of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B, and causing the group of the voltage conversion units 4 C and 4 D to perform the voltage conversion operations.
  • this second control if an overcurrent or an overvoltage has occurred in the output-side conductive path 72 , that is, if the state Io>It or Vo>Vt is given, the group of the voltage conversion units 4 C and 4 D is identified as the “group including an abnormal conversion unit”.
  • the group of the voltage conversion units 4 C and 4 D is identified as the “group of only normal conversion units”.
  • the control unit 2 identifies the “group including an abnormal conversion unit”, and then restarts the voltage conversion operation of the multiphase conversion unit 4 so that any remaining conversion unit other than the “group including an abnormal conversion unit” performs the voltage conversion operation.
  • control unit 2 corresponds to an example of a driving abnormality identifying unit, and functions to identify, after all of the voltage conversion units are disabled by the disabling control unit, a “group including an abnormal conversion unit” from among the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A, 4 B, 4 C, and 4 D constituting the multiphase conversion unit 4 .
  • control unit 2 corresponds to an example of an operation control unit, and functions to cause, if the “group including an abnormal conversion unit” is identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit, the remaining conversion units that are other than the “group including an abnormal conversion unit” identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit to perform voltage conversion operations, the remaining conversion units being included in the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A, 4 B, 4 C, and 4 D that constitute the multiphase conversion unit 4 .
  • Embodiment 1 a “conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal” is identified in the test processing of FIG. 2 , but a “group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal” may be identified. Specifically, it is possible to perform test processing in the following manner.
  • a first test operation is first executed.
  • the voltage conversion operations of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B of the first and second phases are executed in a state in which both of the input-side protective switch elements (the same elements as the switch elements 20 A and 20 B shown in FIG. 1 ) of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are turned off, and both of the output-side protective switch elements (the same elements as the switch elements 24 A and 24 B shown in FIG. 1 ) thereof are turned on.
  • the voltage conversion operations of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B at this time are executed with a duty ratio with which the voltage V 1 (for example, 14V) that is higher than the output voltage (for example, 12V) of the secondary side power supply portion 62 is output to the output-side conductive path 72 if all of the protective switch elements (the same elements as the switch elements 20 A, 20 B, 24 A, and 24 B shown in FIG. 1 ) are conductive. Note that the voltage conversion units 4 C and 4 D of the third and fourth phases are disabled, and all of their protective switch elements are turned off.
  • threshold voltage V 2 has a value that is higher than the output voltage (for example, 12V) from the secondary side power supply portion 62 , and is lower than the above-described voltage V 1 (voltage to be output to the output-side conductive path 72 in the above-described voltage conversion operation if all of the protective switch elements of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are conductive).
  • a second test operation is executed.
  • the voltage conversion operations of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B of the first and second phases are executed in a state in which both of the input-side protective switch elements of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are turned on, and both of the output-side protective switch elements thereof are turned off.
  • the voltage conversion units 4 C and 4 D of the third and fourth phases are disabled, and all of their protective switch elements are turned off.
  • Setting of a duty ratio in the second test operation is configured in the same manner as in the first test operation, and a threshold voltage is set to the same one as that of the first test operation. Accordingly, if the voltage of the output-side conductive path 72 is at least threshold voltage V 2 during the voltage conversion operation, it is determined that any of the output-side protective switch elements of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B has a short-circuit fault.
  • a third test operation is executed.
  • the voltage conversion operations of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B of the first and second phases are executed in a state in which all of the input side and output-side protective switch elements of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are turned on.
  • the voltage conversion units 4 C and 4 D of the third and fourth phases are disabled, and all of their protective switch elements are turned off.
  • Setting of a duty ratio in the third test operation is configured in the same manner as in the first test operation, and a threshold voltage is set to the same one as that of the first test operation. Accordingly, if the voltage of the output-side conductive path 72 is smaller than threshold voltage during the voltage conversion operation, it is determined that any of the protective switch elements of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B has an open-circuit fault.
  • the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B of the first and second phases are determined as a “group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal”, and if neither a short-circuit fault nor an open-circuit fault has been detected, the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B of the first and second phases are determined as a “group of normal conversion units”. In such a way, it is possible to determine whether or not the group of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B of the first and second phases is a “group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal”.
  • the control unit 2 corresponds to an example of a protective abnormality identifying unit, and functions to identify a “group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal”.
  • control unit 2 corresponds to an example of an operation control unit, and functions to operate the multiphase conversion unit 4 such that, if a “group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal” is identified by the protective abnormality identifying unit, the remaining conversion units that are other than the “group including a conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal” identified by the driving abnormality identifying unit to perform voltage conversion operations, the remaining conversion units being included in the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A, 4 B, 4 C, and 4 D that constitute the multiphase conversion unit 4 .
  • Embodiment 1 has a configuration in which test processing shown in FIG. 2 is executed each time the ignition signal is switched from an OFF signal to an ON signal, but the test processing may also be executed at another timing.
  • the test processing shown in FIG. 2 may also be executed at a timing at which, during the normal operation of the multiphase conversion unit 4 , an abnormality such as an overcurrent, an overvoltage, a back flow, or an overheat has occurred in the multiphase conversion unit 4 .
  • Embodiment 1 when the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON, a “conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal” is detected in a flow as shown in FIG. 2 with the plurality of voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B constituting the multiphase conversion unit 4 serving as a detection target, but a configuration is also possible in which a conversion unit serving as a detection target or a group including a conversion unit serving as a detection target are switched each time the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON. For example, at a time at which the ignition switch is switched from OFF to ON, the processing from steps S 2 to S 11 of FIG.
  • step S 2 is executed with only one voltage conversion unit 4 A serving as a test target, and in steps S 4 , S 7 , and S 10 , if it is determined that there is an abnormality, then the operation of the voltage conversion unit 4 A is halted, and only the voltage conversion unit 4 B is operated, and in step S 11 , if it is determined that the conversion unit is normal, then both of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are operated.
  • steps S 4 , S 7 , and S 10 if it is determined that there is an abnormality, then the operation of the voltage conversion unit 4 B is halted, and the voltage conversion unit 4 A is operated to execute voltage conversion if the voltage conversion unit 4 A was determined as being normal in the previous test. If the voltage conversion unit 4 A was determined as being abnormal in the previous test, the multiphase conversion unit 4 itself is disabled.
  • step S 11 if it is determined that the voltage conversion unit 4 A is normal, both of the voltage conversion units 4 A and 4 B are operated if the voltage conversion unit 4 A was determined as being normal in the previous test. If the voltage conversion unit 4 A was determined as being abnormal in the previous test, then the voltage conversion unit 4 A is kept disabled, and only the voltage conversion unit 4 B is operated.
  • the processing from steps S 2 to S 11 of FIG. 2 is executed with only the voltage conversion unit 4 A, instead of the voltage conversion unit 4 B that has been previously tested, serving as a test target. Accordingly, whether or not it is a “conversion unit in which a protective switch element is abnormal” is tested with the conversion unit serving as a test target changed each time the ignition switch is switched form OFF to ON.
  • a power storage state detection unit for detecting that the secondary side power supply portion 62 (power storage unit) is in a predetermined normal state may also be provided.
  • the power storage state detection unit may also be realized by the control unit 2 , and a separate battery sensor or the like may also be provided.
  • a configuration is such that the control unit 2 functions as the power storage state detection unit, and is configured to determine that the secondary side power supply portion 62 (power storage unit) is in the predetermined normal state if a voltage of the output-side conductive path 72 at a time at which the multiphase conversion unit 4 is disabled is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage, and otherwise determine that the secondary side power supply portion 62 (power storage unit) is in an abnormal state.
  • a configuration is also possible in which the normal operation of the multiphase conversion unit 4 is executed only if the secondary side power supply portion 62 (power storage unit) is determined as being in the “predetermined normal state”.
  • the secondary side power supply portion 62 power storage unit
  • the likelihood in which power is supplied from the power storage unit to the output-side conductive path is high.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Dc-Dc Converters (AREA)
US15/765,891 2015-10-14 2016-08-31 Dc-dc converter Abandoned US20180287500A1 (en)

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JP2015202646A JP6281553B2 (ja) 2015-10-14 2015-10-14 Ｄｃｄｃコンバータ
JP2015-202646 2015-10-14
PCT/JP2016/075422 WO2017064933A1 (ja) 2015-10-14 2016-08-31 Ｄｃｄｃコンバータ

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US (1) US20180287500A1 (de)
JP (1) JP6281553B2 (de)
CN (1) CN107431432B (de)
DE (1) DE112016001334T5 (de)
WO (1) WO2017064933A1 (de)

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US11142093B2 (en) * 2019-01-08 2021-10-12 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel cell vehicle and method for controlling the same
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US11394239B2 (en) 2016-02-03 2022-07-19 General Electric Company Method and system for protecting a wireless power transfer system
US11949240B2 (en) 2016-02-03 2024-04-02 General Electric Company Method and system for protecting a wireless power transfer system
US11955805B2 (en) * 2016-02-03 2024-04-09 General Electric Company System and method for protecting a wireless power transfer system
US20190181741A1 (en) * 2016-08-02 2019-06-13 Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. Abnormality detection device and vehicle-mounted power supply device
US10601301B2 (en) * 2016-08-02 2020-03-24 Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. Abnormality detection device and vehicle-mounted power supply device
US11063509B2 (en) * 2018-01-25 2021-07-13 Denso Corporation Step-up switching power supply circuit
US11142093B2 (en) * 2019-01-08 2021-10-12 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel cell vehicle and method for controlling the same
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DE112016001334T5 (de) 2017-12-07
JP2017077070A (ja) 2017-04-20
JP6281553B2 (ja) 2018-02-21
WO2017064933A1 (ja) 2017-04-20
CN107431432A (zh) 2017-12-01

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